Car and Driver shares their comparison pitting the F10 M5 versus the F13 M6 at the Anglesey Circuit in the UK to see if the M6 is truly better at the track than the M5, as advertised.

The M5 and M6 share the same 560hp powertrain, but the M6 is billed as being even more suited for the track with its lighter weight (about 100 pounds), lower center of gravity (due to lighter carbon roof and lower roofline) and slighter faster acceleration (about a tenth of second faster to 0-60, at 4.1 seconds).

Pretty cool comparison, but I simply do not like the styling of a coupe, even the M6. M5 wins every time for me!!

I agree on the styling point. I still wouldn't drop the extra $18,000 for it now that I know how much faster it really is than the M5. Maybe if it was like 300 or 400lbs lighter than the M5, then perhaps. The only argument that I would make for the M6 is that it has adjustable side bolsters. Other than that, it's just too big for a 2 door sports car.

Some nice footage there. I'll be driving both these cars on track tomorrow!!

Please write about your impressions of the M5 in particular for track time. I would think that for most of us, the slight difference in track capability between the M6 and the M5 is irrelevant. Are we good enough drivers to be able to push either car to its limit? Our limit yes, but that is likely pretty much the same for either car with non-professional hands on the steering wheel. I hate to admit it, but a good driver in a much less capable car can probably kick my butt with his/her lap times. So, let the Car and Driver track test time results be a challenge for you, and if you find yourself on track in the M5 against a ZL1, perhaps your skills will allow you to beat the "faster" car......?!

Please write about your impressions of the M5 in particular for track time. I would think that for most of us, the slight difference in track capability between the M6 and the M5 is irrelevant. Are we good enough drivers to be able to push either car to its limit? Our limit yes, but that is likely pretty much the same for either car with non-professional hands on the steering wheel. I hate to admit it, but a good driver in a much less capable car can probably kick my butt with his/her lap times. So, let the Car and Driver track test time results be a challenge for you, and if you find yourself on track in the M5 against a ZL1, perhaps your skills will allow you to beat the "faster" car......?!

why would you think the advantages of the m6 over the m5 would ONLY be appreciable right at the very limits? if this were the case, what would be the point? literally none of the actual customers would ever see any difference.

i dont think BMW designed their cars for top level race cars drivers.

if the m6 was only better than the m5 right at the very extremes, i doubt it would sell very well . it should be noticable all the way through the driving experience. ie, cornering at low speeds, medium speeds and high speeds.

if the m6 was only better than the m5 right at the very extremes, i doubt it would sell very well . it should be noticable all the way through the driving experience. ie, cornering at low speeds, medium speeds and high speeds.

That's my point, to the average driver there wouldn't be any difference on the track between the M5 and M6. The driver's limits will be reached for cornering and braking at about the same level for each car. The slight acceleration gain from the M6 would show up to help times, but only minimally.

That's my point, to the average driver there wouldn't be any difference on the track between the M5 and M6. The driver's limits will be reached for cornering and braking at about the same level for each car. The slight acceleration gain from the M6 would show up to help times, but only minimally.

you're mistaken. if what you're saying we're true, there would be no point in the m6, like the guy in the video said, if there was no advantage, you just buy a proper sports car, ie. gtr or 911 turbo, r8. even BMW says the m6 provides a more involving driving experience.

you're mistaken. if what you're saying we're true, there would be no point in the m6, like the guy in the video said, if there was no advantage, you just buy a proper sports car, ie. gtr or 911 turbo, r8. even BMW says the m6 provides a more involving driving experience.

did you even watch the video?

Of course I did, and both those drivers have abilities far beyond most of us. They were probably pushing the cars to their limit, unlike the average driver would be able to do. I'm not arguing that the M6 is not a better track car, I'm saying the average driver will not be able to turn a significantly faster lap in the M6 over the M5.

Of course BMW says the M6 provides a better experience, they have to justify the huge price increase somehow.

Of course I did, and both those drivers have abilities far beyond most of us. They were probably pushing the cars to their limit, unlike the average driver would be able to do. I'm not arguing that the M6 is not a better track car, I'm saying the average driver will not be able to turn a significantly faster lap in the M6 over the M5.

Of course BMW says the M6 provides a better experience, they have to justify the huge price increase somehow.

yes those drivers are likely better than most of the rest of us. do you think there going to publish a video of two bone heads racing on a track?

and no, there wouldnt be a "significant" difference in track time. but id bet that if you took the same "average" driver and allowed them to complete the same exact lap in the m5 and m6, they would do better in the m6, how much better? neither of us know that for sure.

and BMW "saying" the m6 provides a better experience wouldnt alone make people buy the m6 over the m5, if it didnt hold to be true in real life.

if BMW "said" the M6 was a better driving experience than a ferrari 458 Italia, do you think everyone woud buy it over the ferrari? i dont think so.

yes those drivers are likely better than most of the rest of us. do you think there going to publish a video of two bone heads racing on a track?

and no, there wouldnt be a "significant" difference in track time. but id bet that if you took the same "average" driver and allowed them to complete the same exact lap in the m5 and m6, they would do better in the m6, how much better? neither of us know that for sure.

and BMW "saying" the m6 provides a better experience wouldnt alone make people buy the m6 over the m5, if it didnt hold to be true in real life.

if BMW "said" the M6 was a better driving experience than a ferrari 458 Italia, do you think everyone woud buy it over the ferrari? i dont think so.

The M6 appeals to a buyer for its styling, not its slight performance potential over the M5. I haven't driven an M6, but I have to think that at the usual, legal speed limits used during a test drive there is little or no difference in the driving experience. Especially if the buyer has the knowledge to push the set up buttons for the ride feel they want. And, as you say, we won't know if either of our claims is valid for the track.